Display device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a display device capable of decreasing a bezel width, wherein the display device comprises a display panel; a cover glass on an upper surface of the display panel; a housing member for receiving the display panel, and covering lateral and rear sides of the display panel and a lateral side of the cover glass; and a touch sensing film for sealing a gap between the lateral side of the cover glass and the housing member, the touch sensing film adhered to a lower surface of the cover glass.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent document is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/678,252, filed on Nov. 15, 2012, which claims the benefit ofpriority to Korea Patent Application No. 10-2012-0056762 filed on May29, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes asif fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a display device, and moreparticularly, to a display device capable of decreasing a bezel width.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A cathode ray tube (CRT) is disadvantageous in that it is heavy and hasa large volume. Meanwhile, display devices using flat display panels areadvantageous in that they reduce weight and volume. Thus, displaydevices using flat display panels such as liquid crystal display panel,plasma display panel and organic light-emitting display panel, aregenerally used.

The liquid crystal display panel and the organic light-emitting displaypanel display images by the use of switching element comprising a thinfilm transistor. The liquid crystal display panel and the organiclight-emitting display panel are widely used for various devices, forexample, television, computer monitor, notebook computer, tabletcomputer, navigation, portable terminal, mobile information device, andetc.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a related art display device.FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along I-I′ of FIG. 1. In this case, therelated art display device shown in FIG. 1 may be the portable terminal.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the related art display device includes adisplay panel 10, a backlight unit 20, a cover glass 30, a housingmember 40 and a touch sensing film 50.

The display panel 10 includes an upper substrate 12, a lower substrate14, a lower polarizing film 16, and an upper polarizing film 18. In thiscase, the upper substrate 12 and the lower substrate 14 confronting eachother are bonded to each other. Also, the lower polarizing film 16 isadhered to a lower surface of the lower substrate 14, and the upperpolarizing film 18 is adhered to an upper surface of the upper substrate12. As a panel driver (not shown) is driven, the display panel 10display a predetermined image.

The backlight unit 20 is received in the housing member 40, wherein thebacklight unit 20 emits light to a display area of the display panel 10.For this, the backlight unit 20 includes a reflective sheet 22, alight-guiding plate 24 provided on the reflective sheet 22, a lightsource (not shown) for emitting light to an incidence surface providedat a lateral side of the light-guiding plate 24, and a plurality ofoptical sheet members 26 provided on the light-guiding plate 24.

The cover glass 30 is combined with the housing member 40 at apredetermined interval from an upper surface of the display panel 10, tothereby protect the display panel 10.

The housing member 40 receives the backlight unit 20 and the displaypanel 10 therein, and supports the cover glass 30. For this, the housingmember 40 includes a support case 41 for receiving the backlight unit 20therein; a guide panel 43 combined with the support case 41, wherein theguide panel 43 supports an edge portion of a lower surface of thedisplay panel 10; a rear housing 45 for receiving the support case 41therein; and a lateral housing 47 combined with the rear housing 45,wherein the lateral housing 47 supports the cover glass 30.

The lateral housing 47 covers respective lateral sides of the rearhousing 45, the guide panel 43 and the cover glass 30. Especially, thelateral housing 47 is provided with a step-shaped cover glass supporter47 b, which is formed in an inner sidewall of an upper surface 47 a ofthe lateral housing 47.

The cover glass supporter 47 b supports an edge portion of a lowersurface of the cover glass 30, wherein the cover glass supporter 47 b iscombined with the edge portion of the lower surface of the cover glass30 by the use of double-sided tape 49. Accordingly, a lateral side ofthe cover glass 30 is covered by the lateral housing 47, whereby thelateral side of the cover glass 30 is not exposed to the external of thedisplay device. That is, an upper surface of the cover glass 30 ispositioned at the same height as the upper surface 47 a of the lateralhousing 47.

The touch sensing film 50 is adhered to the lower surface of the coverglass 30, to thereby sense a user's touch on the cover glass 30.

In the related art display device, the cover glass supporter 47 b isformed in the upper surface of the lateral housing 47, and the coverglass 30 and the lateral housing 47 are combined with each other by theuse of double-sided tape 49, whereby a width (T) of the lateral housing47 is increased, that is, a bezel width (W) is increased in each of longsides of the display device.

SUMMARY

A display device comprises a display panel; a cover glass on an uppersurface of the display panel; a housing member that receives the displaypanel, and covers lateral and rear sides of the display panel and alateral side of the cover glass; and a touch sensing film that seals agap between the lateral side of the cover glass and the housing member,the touch sensing film adhered to a lower surface of the cover glass.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a related art display device;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention, which is a crosssectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate various embodiments of touch sensing film shownin FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention, which is a crosssectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention, which is across sectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is across sectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is across sectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Hereinafter, a display device according to the present disclosure willbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional viewillustrating a display device according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, which is a cross sectional view along II-II′ of FIG.3. Herein, the display device shown in FIG. 3 may be a portableterminal.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the display device according to the firstembodiment of the present invention includes a display panel 110; abacklight unit 120 for emitting light to the display panel 110; a coverglass 130 provided on the display panel 110; a housing member 140 forreceiving the backlight unit 120 and the display panel 110 therein, andcovering a lateral side of the display panel 110 and a lateral side ofthe cover glass 130; and a touch sensing film 150 adhered to a rearsurface of the cover glass 130, wherein the touch sensing film 150 sealsa gap (G) between the lateral side of the cover glass 130 and thehousing member 140.

The display panel 110 is received in the housing member 140, wherein apredetermined image is displayed on the display panel 110 using lightemitted from the backlight unit 120. For this, the display panel 110includes a lower substrate 112, an upper substrate 114, a lowerpolarizing member 116, and an upper polarizing member 118.

On the lower substrate 112 of the display panel 110, there are aplurality of gate lines (not shown), a plurality of data lines (notshown), and a plurality of pixels (not shown), wherein each pixel isformed every area defined by crossing the gate and data lines. Eachpixel may be provided with a thin film transistor (not shown) connectedwith the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode connected with the thinfilm transistor, and a common electrode supplied with a common voltage,wherein the common electrode is formed adjacent to the pixel electrode.According to a method for driving liquid crystal of a liquid crystallayer, the common electrode may be formed on the upper substrate 114. Onthe lower substrate 112, an electric field corresponding to adifferential voltage between data voltage and common voltage applied toeach pixel is formed to thereby control light transmittance of theliquid crystal layer.

At an edge region of a lateral side of the lower substrate 112, there isa pad (not shown) connected with each signal line, wherein a paneldriver (not shown) is combined with the pad (not shown).

In a non-display area of one short side or both short sides of the lowersubstrate 112, there is a gate driving circuit (not shown) for supplyinga gate signal (or scan signal) to the gate line. The gate drivingcircuit to be connected with each gate line is formed during a processfor forming the thin film transistor for each pixel.

On the upper substrate 114, there is a color filter corresponding toeach pixel of the lower substrate 112. Then, the lower substrate 112 andthe upper substrate 114 confronting each other are bonded to each other,and the liquid crystal layer (not shown) is interposed therebetween.According to the method for driving liquid crystal of the liquid crystallayer, the common electrode to be supplied with the common voltage maybe formed on the upper substrate 114. The upper substrate 114 filters anincident light passing through the liquid crystal layer by the use ofcolor filter, and emits a predetermined-color light to the external,whereby a predetermined color image is displayed on the display panel110.

The aforementioned structure of the display panel 110 may be changedaccording to the method for driving liquid crystal of the liquid crystallayer formed between the lower substrate 112 and the upper substrate114.

The lower polarizing member 116 is adhered to a lower surface of thelower substrate 112, wherein the lower polarizing member 116 polarizeslight emitted from the backlight unit 120 to the display panel 110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upperpolarizing member 118 may be formed of a polarizing film, adhered to anupper surface of the upper substrate 114, for polarizing thecolored-light emitted to the external through the upper substrate 114.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the upperpolarizing member 118 may include an upper polarizing film (not shown),adhered to an upper surface of the upper substrate 114, for polarizingthe colored-light emitted to the external through the upper substrate114; and a retarder film (not shown), adhered to an upper surface of theupper polarizing film, for realizing a separation of mages seen in leftand right eyes into different polarizing states, that is, athree-dimensional image on the display panel 110.

The backlight unit 120 is received in the housing member 140, whereinthe backlight unit 120 emits the light to the display panel 110. Forthis, the backlight unit 120 includes a reflective sheet 122, alight-guiding plate 124, a light source member (not shown), and anoptical sheet member 126.

The reflective sheet 122 is received in the housing member 140, whereinthe reflective sheet 122 is provided on a lower surface of thelight-guiding plate 124. The reflective sheet 122 reflects the lightincident from the light-guiding plate 124 to the display panel 110.

The light-guiding plate 124 is provided on the reflective sheet 122,wherein the light-guiding plate 124 guides the light emitted from thelight source member to a frontal direction. For this, the light-guidingplate 124 may be formed in a plate shape including an incidence surfaceprovided at one lateral side thereof, or may be provided with a lowersurface of an inclined shape whose height is gradually decreased fromone lateral side to the other lateral side. The light-guiding plate 124reflects and refracts the light incident on the incidence surface fromthe light source member, to thereby guide the light to the frontaldirection.

The light source member is received in the housing member 140, whereinthe light source member confronts the incidence surface, to thereby emitthe light to the incidence surface. For this, the light source membermay be provided with a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

The optical sheet member 126 is provided on the light-guiding plate 124,wherein the optical sheet member 126 enhances luminance of the lightguided to the display panel 110 by the light-guiding plate 124. Forthis, the optical sheet member 126 may include at least one diffusionsheet and at least one prism sheet among a lower diffusion sheet, alower prism sheet, an upper prism sheet and an upper diffusion sheet.

The cover glass 130 is provided on the display panel 110, to therebyprotect the display panel 110. A black coating layer 132 is formed in anedge portion of a lower surface of the cover glass 130 so as to coverremaining areas except a display area of the display panel 110.

Also, lower and upper sides of the cover glass 130 are combined with andcovered by lower and upper sides of the housing member 140. Meanwhile,when left and right sides of the cover glass 130 are respectivelycovered by left and right sides of the housing member 140, there is apredetermined gap (G) between the left side of the cover glass 130 andthe left side of the housing member 140, and between the right side ofthe cover glass 130 and the right side of the housing member 140.

The housing member 140 receives the backlight unit 120 and the displaypanel 110 therein, and supports the cover glass 130. For this, thehousing member 140 includes a support case 141, a guide panel 143, arear housing 145, and a lateral housing 147. These elements may beformed of a metal material or a plastic material. Preferably, the theseelements are formed of the plastic material suitable for enablinglight-weight display device.

The support case 141 is received in the rear housing 145, wherein thesupport case 141 receives the guide panel 143 and the backlight unit 120therein, and covers a lateral side of the guide panel 143. For this, thesupport case 141 having a U-shaped cross section includes a supportplate 141 a, placed onto the rear housing 145, for supporting the guidepanel 143 and the backlight unit 120; and a support sidewall 141 b,which is vertically bent from an end of the support plate 141 a, forcovering the lateral side of the guide panel 143.

The guide panel 143 is received in the support case 141, wherein theguide panel 143 supports a peripheral region of a lower surface of thedisplay panel 110, and defines a receiving position of the backlightunit 120 received in the support case 141.

A lower surface of the guide panel 143 may be adhered to the supportplate 141 a of the support case 141, or adhered to the reflective sheet122 placed on the support plate 141 a by the use of first double-sidedtape 144 a.

A second double-sided tape 144 b may be formed between an upper surfaceof the guide panel 143 and the peripheral region of the lower surface ofthe display panel 110. The second double-sided tape 144 b enables tocombine the peripheral region of the lower surface of the display panel110 and the upper surface of the guide panel 143 with each other. Inthis case, the second double-sided tape 144 b may be adhered to aperipheral region of the plurality of optical sheet members 126 as wellas the upper surface of the guide panel 143. In the drawings, theperipheral region of the lower surface of the display panel 110 iscombined with the upper surface of the guide panel 143 by the use ofsecond double-sided tape 144 b, but not limited to this structure. Forexample, the peripheral region of the lower surface of the display panel110 may be simply placed onto a buffer pad member (not shown) adhered tothe upper surface of the guide panel 143.

The rear housing 145 receives the support case 141 therein. For this,the rear housing 145 having a U-shaped cross section supports a lowersurface of the support case 141, and covers some of a lateral side ofthe support case 141. The support case 141 may be adhered to a bottomsurface of the rear housing 145 by the use of double-sided tape.

The lateral housing 147 is combined with an external lateral side of therear housing 145, to thereby cover the respective lateral sides of theguide panel 143, the display panel 110 and the cover glass 130. In thiscase, the lateral housing 147 and the rear housing 145 may be combinedby a hook combination method. For example, a hook-receiving groove maybe formed in the external lateral side of the rear housing 145; and ahook projection, into which the hook-receiving groove is inserted, maybe formed in an inner lateral side of the lateral housing 147.

An upper surface of the lateral housing 147 is positioned at the sameheight as an upper surface of the cover glass 130, and an upper innerlateral side of the lateral housing 147 is positioned as close aspossible to the lateral side of the cover glass 130. Preferably, theupper inner lateral side of the lateral housing 147 is positioned to bein contact with the lateral side of the cover glass 130. Due to an errorof manufacturing process, however, the upper inner lateral side of thelateral housing 147 is provided at a predetermined interval from thelateral side of the cover glass 130. Accordingly, a predetermined gap(G) is provided between the lateral housing 147 and an edge portion of along side of the cover glass 130 in each of the left and right sides ofthe display device. That is, the gap (G) is provided between the upperinner lateral side of the lateral housing 147 and the lateral side ofthe cover glass 130.

Meanwhile, each of short sides of the cover glass 130, that is, each ofupper and lower sides of the cover glass 130 is placed in a step-shapedcover glass supporter (See the cover glass supporter of FIG. 2) which isprovided in each of upper and lower sides of the lateral housing 147.Accordingly, a predetermined gap (G) is not formed between an edgeportion of the short side of the cover glass 130 and the lateral housing147 in each of upper and lower sides of the display device.

The aforementioned lateral housing 147 does not support the lower edgeportion of the cover glass 130, and the lateral housing 147 ispositioned as close as possible to the lateral side of the cover glass130, to thereby obtain a relatively thin width (W). Owing to therelatively thin width (W) of the lateral housing 147, it is possible todecrease a width in each of both lateral sides of the display device,that is, to decrease a bezel width. However, foreign matters such asdust or moist may penetrate into the inside of the display devicethrough the predetermined gap (G) between the upper inner lateral sideof the lateral housing 147 and the lateral side of the cover glass 130,and light emitted from the backlight unit 120 may be leaking to theexternal through the predetermined gap (G). Accordingly, the gap (G) issealed by extending the left and right lateral sides of the touchsensing film 150.

In more detail, the touch sensing film 150 is adhered to the lowersurface of the cover glass 130, and is placed onto the upper polarizingmember 118 of the display panel 110. In this case, the touch sensingfilm 150 may be adhered to the entire area of the lower surface of thecover glass 130 by the use of optical clean adhesive, and simultaneouslyadhered to the entire area of the upper surface of the upper polarizingfilm 118. The touch sensing film 150 may be adhered to the lower surfaceof the cover glass 130 by a manual labor or a lamination process.

The touch sensing film 150 functions as a touch sensing means so as tosense a user's touch on the cover glass 130. At the same time, the touchsensing film 150 seals the aforementioned gap (G) between the lateralside of the cover glass 130 and the housing member 140. For this, thetouch sensing film 150 includes a touch sensing area, and the touchsensing film 150 includes first and second extending portions 154 a and154 b for sealing the gap (G), wherein each of the first and secondextending portions 154 a and 154 b is extended to be longer than each ofthe left and right sides of the cover glass 130.

In order to cover the left lateral side of the display panel 110, thefirst extending portion 154 a is extended to a predetermined length fromthe left lateral side of the touch sensing film 150, and is also bent tobe combined with the housing member 140, that is, the external lateralside of the left sidewall of the support case 141. In this case, thefirst extending portion 154 a may be adhered to the external lateralside of the left sidewall of the support case 141 by the use of firstadhesive member 155 a. The first adhesive member 155 a may be adouble-sided tape.

In order to cover the right lateral side of the display panel 110, thesecond extending portion 154 b is extended to a predetermined lengthfrom the right lateral side of the touch sensing film 150, and is alsobent to be combined with the housing member 140, that is, the externallateral side of the right sidewall of the support case 141. In thiscase, the second extending portion 154 b may be adhered to the externallateral side of the right sidewall of the support case 141 by the use ofsecond adhesive member 155 b. The second adhesive member 155 b may be adouble-sided tape.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the touch sensing film shownin FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5 in connection with FIG. 4, the touch sensing film150 includes a touch sensor 152, and the first and second extendingportions 154 a and 154 b.

The touch sensor 152 is adhered to the lower surface of the cover glass130, wherein the touch sensor 152 is overlapped with the display area ofthe display panel 110. The touch sensor 152 includes a lower film 150 aand an upper film 150 b which are bonded to each other, wherein thelower film 150 a and the upper film 150 b has a size corresponding to asize of the upper substrate 114 or cover glass 130.

In the lower film 150 a of the touch sensor 152, there are a pluralityof first sensing electrode lines (SL1) formed at fixed intervals in afirst direction. Each of the first sensing electrode lines (SL1) may besupplied with a first sensing voltage signal from a touch driver (notshown). The plurality of first sensing electrode lines (SL1) mayfunction as signal-transmitting electrodes.

In the upper film 150 b of the touch sensor 152, there are a pluralityof second sensing electrode lines (SL2) formed at fixed intervals in asecond direction being in perpendicular to the first direction. Each ofthe second sensing electrode lines (SL2) may be supplied with a secondsensing voltage signal from the touch driver. The plurality of secondsensing electrode lines (SL2) may function as signal-transmittingelectrodes.

At one side of the aforementioned lower film 150 a or upper film 150 b,there is a driving connector 150 c which is electrically connected withthe plurality of first sensing electrode lines (SL1), and alsoelectrically connected with the plurality of second sensing electrodelines (SL2).

The driving connector 150 c having a predetermined length is protrudingfrom one side of the lower film 150 a or upper film 150 b, and thedriving connector 150 c is connected with the touch driver, whereby thedriving connector 150 c supplies the first and second sensing voltagesignals from the touch driver to the plurality of first sensingelectrode lines (SL1) and the plurality of second sensing electrodelines (SL2). For example, the touch driver senses a change ofcapacitance value formed among the plurality of first sensing electrodelines (SL1) and the plurality of second sensing electrodes lines (SL2),wherein the first and second sensing electrode lines (SL1 and SL2) crosseach other, to thereby sense whether or not there is the user's touch.

According to a touch sensing method of the touch sensing film 150, theplurality of second sensing electrode line (SL2) may be formed on thelower film 150 a. In this case, each of the plurality of second sensingelectrode lines (SL2) may be formed between each of the plurality offirst sensing electrode lines (SL1). Furthermore, a shield line may beformed between the first sensing electrode line (SL1) and the secondsensing electrode line (SL2).

The first extending portion 154 a is extended to be longer than thecover glass 130 from the left side of the touch sensor 152, that is, therespective left sides of the lower film 150 a and upper film 150 b.Also, the first extending portion 154 a is bent to cover the left sideof the display panel 110, and is then adhered to the housing member 140,that is, the external lateral side of the left sidewall of the supportcase 141 by the use of first adhesive member 155 a. Thus, the firstextending portion 154 a is closely adhered to the inner lateral side ofthe lateral housing 147, to thereby seal the gap (G) between the leftlong side of the cover glass 130 and the lateral side of the housing147. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as dustor moist from penetrating into the inside of the display device throughthe gap (G).

The second extending portion 154 b is extended to be longer than thecover glass 130 from the right side of the touch sensor 152, that is,the respective right sides of the lower film 150 a and upper film 150 b.Also, the second extending portion 154 b is bent to cover the right sideof the display panel 110, and is then adhered to the housing member 140,that is, the external lateral side of the right sidewall of the supportcase 141 by the use of second adhesive member 155 b. Thus, the secondextending portion 154 b is closely adhered to the inner lateral side ofthe lateral housing 147, to thereby seal the gap (G) between the rightlong side of the cover glass 130 and the lateral side of the housing147. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign matters such as dustor moist from penetrating into the inside of the display device throughthe gap (G).

As shown in FIG. 6, the touch sensing film 150 may further include alight-leakage prevention member 156 in each of the inner lateral sidesof the first and second extending portions 154 a and 154 b confrontingthe respective lateral sides of the display panel 110.

The light-leakage prevention member 156 may be formed by a coating layercoated on the respective inner lateral sides of the first and secondextending portions 154 a and 154 b, or a tape adhered to the respectiveinner lateral sides of the first and second extending portions 154 a and154 b. Preferably, the light-leakage prevention member 156 may be formedof black-colored coating resin or tape.

In the aforementioned touch sensing film 150, the first and secondextending portions 154 a and 154 b extend from the lower film 150 a andthe upper film 150 b, but it is not limited to this structure. That is,the first and second extending portions 154 a and 154 b may be formedonly of the lower film 150 a extended from the both lateral sides of thetouch sensor 152, as shown in FIG. 7; or the first and second extendingportions 154 a and 154 b may be formed only of the upper film 150 bextended from the both lateral sides of the touch sensor 152, as shownin FIG. 8. In this case, if the lower film 150 a and the upper film 150b have the same thickness, preferably, the first and second extendingportions 154 a and 154 b extend from the upper film 150 b. Meanwhile, ifthe lower film 150 a and the upper film 150 b have the differentthicknesses, the first and second extending portions 154 a and 154 bextend from the relatively-thin film between the lower film 150 a andthe upper film 150 b, preferably.

Even in case of that the first and second extending portions 154 a and154 b are formed of the lower film 150 a or the upper film 150 b, theaforementioned light-leakage prevention member 156 is formed in each ofthe inner lateral sides of the first and second extending portions 154 aand 154 b.

In the display device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, as mentioned above, the cover glass 130 with the touchsensing film 150 adhered thereto is placed on the upper surface of thedisplay panel 110, and the extended touch sensing film 150 seals the gap(G) between the lateral side of the cover glass 130 and the housingmember 140, that is, the lateral housing 147, whereby the width (W) ofthe lateral housing 147 is decreased, thereby decreasing the bezel width(W) of the both lateral sides. That is, in case of the display deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, the coverglass 130 is not supported by the lateral housing 147 of the housingmember 140, whereby the width (W) of the lateral housing 147 becomesthin, to thereby the bezel width (W) of the both lateral sides.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention, which is a crosssectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 9 in connection with FIG. 3, the display deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention includes adisplay panel 110, a backlight unit 120, a cover glass 130, a housingmember 140, and a touch sensing film 150. Except a structure of thehousing member 140, the display device according to the secondembodiment of the present invention is identical in structure to thedisplay device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. Thus, wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts, and a detailed explanation for the same parts willbe omitted.

The housing member 140 includes a support case 141, a guide panel 143,and a housing cover 245. These elements may be formed of a metalmaterial or a plastic material. Preferably, the these elements areformed of the plastic material suitable for enabling light-weightdisplay device.

The support case 141 and the guide panel 143 are the same as those ofthe aforementioned display device according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, whereby a detailed explanation for the supportcase 141 and the guide panel 143 will be omitted.

The housing cover 245 receives the support case 141 therein, and coversthe respective lateral sides of the support case 141, the display panel110, and the cover glass 130. For this, the housing cover 245 includes arear cover 245 a and a lateral cover 245 b.

The rear cover 245 a supports a lower surface of the support case 141.In this case, the lower surface of the support case 141 may be adheredto the rear cover 245 a by the use of double-sided tape.

The lateral cover 245 b is formed by vertically bending an end portionof the rear cover 245 a. The lateral cover 245 b covers the respectivelateral sides of the support case 141, the display panel 110 and thecover glass 130. In this case, a predetermined gap is formed between anupper inner lateral side of the lateral cover 245 b and a lateral sideof the cover glass 130, wherein the gaps is sealed by the use ofextending portions 154 a and 154 b of the touch sensing film 150. Afunction of the lateral cover 245 b is the same as that of theaforementioned lateral housing 147 shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, thedisplay device according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention is formed by removing the lateral housing 147 of the firstembodiment of the present invention, whereby the display deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention is providedwith the decreased number of elements.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention, which is across sectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 10 in connection with FIG. 3, the display deviceaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention includes adisplay panel 110, a backlight unit 120, a cover glass 130, a housingmember 140, and a touch sensing film 150. Except a structure of thetouch sensing film 150, the display device according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention is identical in structure to thedisplay device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. Thus, wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts, and a detailed explanation for the same parts willbe omitted.

In the aforementioned display device according to the first embodimentof the present invention, the touch sensing film 150 is extended andadhered to the support sidewall 141 b of the support case 141. However,in case of the display device according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention, the touch sensing film 150 is extended and adhered toa lower edge portion of a support case 141.

In more detail, respective extending portions 154 a and 154 b of thetouch sensing film 150 are extended from both lateral sides of a touchsensor (See ‘152’ of FIG. 5), and are then adhered to the lower edgeportions of the left and right sides of the support case 141. Therespective extending portions 154 a and 154 b include first bendingportions (BP1) for covering the lateral sides of the display panel 110,and support sidewalls 141 b of the left and right sides (or long side)of the support case 141; and second bending portions (BP2) for coveringthe lower edge portions of the left and right sides of a support plate141 a. The respective second bending portions (BP2) are adhered to thelower edge portion of the support plate 141 a by the use of adhesivemembers 155 a and 155 b.

In the display device according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, the support case 141 is combined with a bottom surface of arear housing 145 by the use of combining member 149. In this case, thecombining member 149 may be a double-sided tape, an adhesive, or aplurality of screws.

In the display device according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, the housing member 140 may include the support case 141, aguide panel 143, the rear housing 145 and the lateral housing 147, inthe same manner as the display device according to the first embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 4; or the housing member 140 mayinclude the support case 141, a guide panel 143 and a housing cover 240,in the same manner as the display device according to the secondembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is across sectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 11 in connection with FIG. 3, the display deviceaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes adisplay panel 110, a backlight unit 120, a cover glass 130, a housingmember 440, and a touch sensing film 150. Except a structure of thehousing member 440, the display device according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention is identical in structure to thedisplay device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. Thus, wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts, and a detailed explanation for the same parts willbe omitted.

The housing member 440 includes a guide panel 143, a rear housing 145,and a lateral housing 147. The housing member 440 may be obtained byremoving the support case (See ‘141’ of FIG. 4) from the housing member140 of the display device according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

The guide panel 143 is adhered to a reflective sheet 122 of thebacklight unit 120 by the use of first double-sided tape 444 a.Meanwhile, the guide panel 143 may be adhered to a bottom surface of therear housing 145 by the use of first double-sided tape 444 a.

The rear housing 145 receives the backlight unit 120 and the guide panel130 therein. For this, the rear housing 145 having a U-shaped crosssection supports the reflective sheet 122 of the backlight unit 120, andcovers some area of a lateral side of the guide panel 130.

The lateral housing 147 is combined with an external lateral side of therear housing 145, to thereby cover respective lateral sides of the guidepanel 143, the display panel 110, and the cover glass 130. In this case,the lateral housing 147 and the rear housing 145 may be combined by ahook combination method.

First and second extending portions 154 a and 154 b of the touch sensingfilm 150 are extended to cover the lateral sides of the display panel110 and the guide panel 143, and are then adhered to an inner lateralside of the lateral housing 147 by the use of first and second adhesivemembers 455 a and 455 b, to thereby seal a gap between the respectivelateral sides of the lateral housing 147 and the cover glass 130.

The display device according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention is provided with the housing member 440 obtained by removingthe support case (See ‘141’ of FIG. 4) from the housing member 140 ofthe display device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, so that it is possible to decrease the number of elements inthe display device.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is across sectional view along II-II′ of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 12 in connection with FIG. 3, the display deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes adisplay panel 110, a backlight unit 120, a cover glass 130, a housingmember 140, and a touch sensing film 150. Except a structure of thehousing member 140, the display device according to the fifth embodimentof the present invention is identical in structure to the display deviceaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 11. Thus, wherever possible, the same reference numbers will beused throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, and adetailed explanation for the same parts will be omitted.

The housing member 140 includes a guide panel 143 and a housing cover545.

The guide panel 143 is the same as that of the display device accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present invention, whereby a detailedexplanation for the guide panel 143 will be omitted.

The housing cover 545 receives the backlight unit 120 and the guidepanel 143 therein, and covers respective lateral sides of the guidepanel 143, the display panel 110 and the cover glass 130. For this, thehousing cover 545 includes a rear cover 545 a and a lateral cover 545 b.

The rear cover 545 a supports the backlight unit 120 and the guide panel143. In this case, a reflective sheet 122 of the backlight unit 120 maybe adhered to the rear cover 545 a by the use of double-sided tape.

The lateral cover 545 b is formed by vertically bending an end portionof the rear cover 545 a. The lateral cover 545 b covers the respectivelateral sides of the guide panel 143, the display panel 110 and thecover glass 130. In this case, a gap is formed between an upper innerlateral side of the lateral cover 545 b and a lateral side of the coverglass 130, wherein the gaps is sealed by extending portions 154 a and154 b of the touch sensing film 150. A function of the lateral cover 545b is the same as that of the aforementioned lateral housing 147 shown inFIG. 11. Accordingly, the display device according to the fifthembodiment of the present invention is formed by removing the lateralhousing 147 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherebythe display device according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention is provided with the decreased number of elements.

In the aforementioned drawings, the display devices according to theembodiments of the present invention are mainly LCD devices with thebacklight unit 120 provided therein, but it is not limited to the LCDdevices. For example, the display devices according to the embodimentsof the present invention may be various flat display devices such asorganic light-emitting display (OLED) devices. The display device of theOLED device may include a display panel comprising an organiclight-emitting device on an upper substrate or a lower substrate,whereby a predetermined image is displayed according as the organiclight-emitting device is driven. In this case, the backlight unit may beremoved from the display device shown in FIG. 4. If needed, the supportcase of the housing member and/or the guide panel may be removed fromthe display device shown in FIG. 4.

The display devices according to the embodiments of the presentinvention may be applied to not only the portable terminal shown in FIG.3 but also a television, a computer monitor, a tablet computer, variousmobile information devices, and a display area of notebook computer.

Accordingly, in case of the display device of the present invention, theboth lateral sides of the cover glass are not combined with the lateralhousing member, whereby the width of the lateral housing is decreased,to thereby decrease the bezel width in the both lateral sides of thedisplay device.

In the display device according to the present invention, the touchsensing film adhered to the lower surface of the cover glass is extendedto seal the gap between the lateral side of the cover glass and thehousing member, so that it is possible to prevent the foreign matterssuch as dust or moist from penetrating into the inside of the displaydevice through the gap, thereby improving quality and endurance of thedisplay device.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panel; acover glass on an upper surface of the display panel; a backlight unitthat emits light to the display panel; a housing member that receivesthe backlight unit and the display panel, and covers lateral and rearsides of the backlight unit and a lateral side of the cover glass, thehousing member including a guide panel supporting a peripheral region ofa lower surface of the display panel and defining a receiving positionof the backlight unit, and a lateral housing receiving the backlightunit and covering the lateral side of the cover glass and a lateral sideof the guide panel; and a touch sensing film that seals a gap betweenthe lateral side of the cover glass and the lateral housing, the touchsensing film comprising a touch sensor adhered to a lower surface of thecover glass and an extending portion perpendicular to the touch sensor,wherein the backlight unit includes a reflective sheet received in thehousing member and adhered to lower surface of the guide panel.
 2. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the cover glass overlapsthe extending portion and the gap is disposed immediately above theextending portion of the touch sensing film, the extending portion ofthe touch sensing film disposed between the lateral housing and theguide panel.
 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein thetouch sensor of the touch sensing film is supported on the upper surfaceof the display panel, and wherein the extending portion seals the gapand extends from the each of both lateral sides of the touch sensor tobe longer than the cover glass.
 4. The display device according to claim3, wherein the extending portion extends from the each of both lateralsides of the touch sensor, and is bent to cover a lateral side of thedisplay panel, and is adhered to the housing member.
 5. The displaydevice according to claim 3, wherein the extending portion extends fromthe each of both lateral sides of the touch sensor, and is bent to covera lateral side of the display panel and a lateral side of the guidepanel.
 6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the extendingportion is adhered to the lateral side of the guide panel confronting aninner lateral side of the lateral housing.
 7. The display deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the touch sensing film includes upper andlower films with sensing electrode lines, the upper and lower filmsconfronting each other and bonded to each other, and wherein theextending portion extends from at least any one of the upper and lowfilms.
 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the extendingportion extends from each of both lateral sides of the touch sensor tocorrespond with both long lateral sides of the cover glass.
 9. Thedisplay device according to claim 3, wherein the touch sensing filmfurther includes a light-leakage prevention member provided in an innerlateral side of the extending portion confronting the lateral side ofthe display panel, and wherein the light-leakage prevention membercomprises one of a coating layer coated on the inner lateral side of theextending portion, or a tape adhered to the inner lateral side of theextending portion.
 10. The display device according to claim 1, whereinthe housing member further includes a rear housing that receives thereflective sheet therein.
 11. The display device according to claim 10,wherein, the rear housing comprises a hook-receiving groove disposed inthe external lateral side of the rear housing, the lateral housingcomprises a hook projection disposed in an inner lateral side of thelateral housing, and the hook projection inserts into the hook-receivinggroove.
 12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the housingmember further includes a housing cover including a rear cover thatreceives the reflective sheet therein.
 13. The display device accordingto claim 12, wherein the lateral housing is vertically bent from therear cover, and covers respective lateral sides of the guide panel, thedisplay panel and the cover glass.
 14. The display device according toclaim 1, further comprising an adhesive member disposed between theperipheral region of the lower surface of the display panel and an uppersurface of the guide panel to combine the display panel and the guidepanel with each other.
 15. The display device according to claim 14,wherein the backlight unit further includes a light-guiding platedisposed on the reflective sheet, and an optical sheet member disposedon the light-guiding plate, wherein the adhesive member is disposed to aperipheral region of the optical sheet member as well as the uppersurface of the guide panel.